Mayor Renda presented former Councilman Dan Fritz with a proclamation, plaque and his council nameplate. Mr. Fritz was recognized for his dedicated service to the Village of Moreland Hills while on Council.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Planning Commission
Mr. David Fiocca of 35450 South Woodland Road is requesting a distance variance of 20 feet for his tennis court. A letter from Mr. Fiocca’s neighbor states that Mr. Fiocca has permission to continue with his proposed tennis court.

Mr. Newman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to grant Mr. David Fiocca of 35450 South Woodland Road a distance variance of 20 feet for his tennis court.

Service Committee
Random Drug testing is currently in the works, the Village is working with a company to perform the drug testing for all employees. The recycling report showed that we have improved our recycling tonnage from 538 tons to 845 tons. This is mostly because of the brush and hazardous tree removal. Next meeting is March 20, 2008 at 8am.

Mr. Newman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to have the Village Engineer draw up specifications and draw up bids for the 2008 Drainage program.

Finance Committee
The Committee met on March 5, 2008 to discuss the 2008 budget. There was a presentation by Treasurer Shah and a lengthy discussion regarding the expenditures. A proposal was submitted by the Safety Committee that deals with the issue of compensation. A study will occur in the near future regarding the compensation of employees.

Mr. Wortzman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to appoint “Mayor” and “Treasurer” as the RITA Regional Council of Government delegates.

Buildings & Grounds Committee
The Council Chambers is under reconstruction based off of plans submitted years ago from the Moreland Hills Historical Society. The lighting and ceiling is complete thus far. Police department improvements were discussed with Mr. Richman, Chair of the Safety Committee. A summer banner will be designed and displayed throughout the Village.

Safety Committee
Safety Minutes are complete, a few safety items are on the agenda.

Utilities Committee
The City of Cleveland Water Department is proposing an agreement to work with the various communities on distribution systems to conduct improvements in areas for their rating system. In exchange for this the Village of Moreland Hills would have to share tax revenues 50/50 with the City of Cleveland for 5 years for any business that moved from Cleveland to Moreland Hills.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

*Ordinance 2008-2 introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance for payment of the bills in the month of February in the amount of $542,125.70. First Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-2.

*Ordinance 2008-19 introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance confirming the appointment by the Mayor of the Village of Moreland Hills of Prashant R. Shah to the position of Treasurer for a term of four (4) years and declaring an emergency. First Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-19.

Law Director Margaret Anne Cannon performed the swearing in of Santo T. Incorvaia and Mayor Renda congratulated him.

*Ordinance 2008-21 introduced by Mr. Richman. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Village of Orange for use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the Village of Orange Police Department and declaring an emergency. First Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Richman and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-21.

*Ordinance 2008-22 introduced by Mr. Richman. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Village of Woodmere for use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the Village of Woodmere Police Department and declaring an emergency. First Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Richman and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-22.

*Ordinance 2008-23 introduced by Mr. Richman. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the City of Pepper Pike for use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the City of Pepper Pike Police Department and declaring an emergency. First Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Richman and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-23.

*Ordinance 2008-27 introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance confirming the appointment by the Mayor of the Village of Moreland Hills of Mary Catherine Bosley as Clerk of Council for a term of (4) four years and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Wortzman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-27.

*Ordinance 2008-29 introduced by Mr. Richman. An Ordinance amending Section 141.01 of Chapter 141 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Moreland Hills to change the position title “Staff Sergeant” to “Executive Lieutenant” and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Richman commented that this is an operational issue based on the term most commonly used to define the rank of positions. This is a name change only and does not affect duties, salary, or promotion.

A motion was made by Mr. Richman and seconded by Mr. Wortzman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-29.

*Ordinance 2008-30 introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance amending Ordinance 2008-16 passed by the Village Council on January 16, 2008 , which fixed the compensation of various officers and employees of the Village of Moreland Hills, to provide for the position and compensation of Council Clerk and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-30.

*Ordinance 2008-31 introduced by Mr. Newman. An Ordinance confirming the appointment by the Mayor of the Village of Moreland Hills of Rick Loconti as Electrical Inspector for the Village and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Newman introduced Mr. Loconti and presented his resume to all Council Members.

A motion was made by Mr. Newman and seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-31.

*Ordinance 2008-32 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An emergency Ordinance enacted by the Village of Moreland Hills, Cuyahoga County , Ohio hereinafter referred to as the MUNICIPALITY, in the matter of the hereinafter described improvement and requests the cooperation of the County of Cuyahoga by its Board of County Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the COUNTY and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda explained that this ordinance is the Chagrin Boulevard Slope Stabilization project where the Cuyahoga County Engineer helps finance this project with $250,000 to offset the Village’s expenses. The money will be paid in fiscal year 2009.

A motion was made by Mr. Newman and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-32.

*Ordinance 2008-33 was introduced by Mr. Wortzman. An Ordinance establishing appropriations for the current expenditures of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio for the period ending December 31, 2008, and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman and seconded by Mr. Newman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-33.

*Ordinance 2008-34 was introduced by Mr. Wortzman. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Wichert Insurance Services, Inc. for the provision of General Liability, Police Professional Public Official, Automobile, and Property Insurance to the Village of Moreland Hills, at the total aggregate cost of $47,367.00 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman and seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-34.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Buczek to enter into executive session to discuss the acquisition or disposition of public property and the employment and compensation of personnel.

*Ordinance 2008-24 introduced by Mr. Newman. An Ordinance confirming the appointment by the Mayor of the Village of Moreland Hills of Gregory R. Potts as Building Inspector for the Village for the term of (1) one year and declaring an emergency. First Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Newman seconded by Mr. Buczek to put Ordinance 2008-24 on Second Reading.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek and seconded by Mr. Richman on behalf of the Mayor, Council and the residents of Moreland Hills, I recognize and thank the Service Department for their extraordinary efforts put forth on Friday, March 7th, Saturday, March 8th, and Sunday, March 9th during the winter snow storm. The Village streets were kept open during this most difficult period and by Sunday morning all the streets were cleared. Their efforts are to be commended.